Tag Archives: diet supplement

GNC recently signed a contract to exclusively market a new diet supplement called pAGG in its 1900 stores. PAGG is an acronym for its ingredients policosanol, alpha-lipoic acid, decaffeinated green tea, aged garlic extract and biotin. So is this the next weight loss miracle supplement? This supplement was recently discussed in the New York Times Bestseller The 4-Hour Body and its supplier NewHealth Solutions says to look no further for a fast and effective way to lose weight. I say let’s take a closer look.

It’s hard to know where to begin on this one. I see a lot of red flags. Policosanol is a mixture of fatty alcohol most commonly made from sugar cane wax. This product has been extensively studied in Cuba and is used there as a cure for almost anything. Policosanol is indicated for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Not only have many trials shown that policosanol does not significantly decrease cholesterol levels but that it also could increase the risk of bleeding, specifically from the gums or nose. Fish oils may be a better alternative to achieve healthy cholesterol levels.

Mentioned on Dr. Oz recently in a discussion of long term weight loss in the midsection area, GLA is not an unknown to those in the weight loss arena. But many are unfamiliar with this supplement, which some have touted as the newest miracle weight loss drug. What, exactly, is GLA?

Gamma Linolenic Acid is a fatty substance, most commonly found in evening primrose oil. It is an Omega-6 fatty acid, or EFA. EFA’s are called essential because your body needs them for health but they cannot be manufactured by the body, they must be ingested. They are important for brain development, skin and hair growth and help keep the metabolism working. EFA’s come in Omega-3’s and Omega-6’s and both are vital for good health.

There are several different Omega-6 EFA’s, with the predominance of those being unhealthy as they show a tendency to promote inflammation. GLA appears to work differently, as it reduces inflammation.

Jen Eisenbarth claims diet companies used her image without her permission

On the TV show The Biggest Loser, contestants work hard to lose weight through diet and lots of exercise, without the use of additional products except for those endorsed by the show.

Season three contestant Jennifer Eisenbarth was eliminated early in the season, but she went home and worked hard to lose over 100 pounds on her own. Now, Eisenbarth has not only been successful in weight loss, she has just won a legal battle with several weight loss companies.

Eisenbarth filed a lawsuit against many diet and weight loss companies for promoting several products, including diet supplements and cleansers, using her name and image without her permission. Although her legal fight has been going on since 2009, the companies named in the lawsuit, including FWM Laboratories, Bromacleanse, Coast Nutraceuticals, Herbalife International, Congoo and HD Vest Advanced Systems, have settled and agreed to a permanent injunction.

With fears and tension at an all-time high in Japan as they deal with the worst natural tragedy in the country’s history, they are also dealing with a bigger and much less natural threat: nuclear radiation.

In the wake of this frightening threat, citizens have taken to buying up supplies of potassium iodine, which helps combat the effects of radiation exposure.

The interest in the supplement isn’t just restricted to Japan. There are reports of people scooping up bottles of potassium iodine on the West Coast of the U.S. and they are being sold at a rapid pace online. Troy Jones, owner of nukepills.com says he gets an order every 30 seconds and has already sold more than 50,000 doses of pills and liquid since the earthquake in Japan.

Scientists and nuclear experts are saying that stockpiling potassium iodine is not necessary, since there is no expectation of radiation reaching the U.S. (more…)

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